Climate change: Warming world will be 'devastating' for frozen peatlands
The world's peatlands will become a large source of greenhouse gases as temperatures rise this century, say scientists.
Right now, huge amounts of carbon are stored in boggy, often frozen regions stretching across northern parts of the world.
But much of the permanently frozen land will thaw this century, say experts.
This will release warming gases at a rate that could be 30-50% greater than previous estimates.
Stretching across vast regions of the northern half of the world, peatlands play an important role in the global climate system.
Over thousands of years, they have accumulated large amounts of carbon and nitrogen, which has helped keep the Earth cool
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